《北斗本命延寿灯仪》

The movement of primordial Qi (qi) appears as the star patterns in the heavens, and so there are laws that correspond to the stars. The pure Qi between heaven and earth circulates through the sky, and so there are deities who govern the stars of fate. Within one year, the heavenly bodies complete six cycles; over three years, they pass in turn through the Nine Palaces. The Northern Dipper presides over all the spirits of the human world and can turn misfortune into good fortune; the many stars of the upper heavens each hold their own office and can determine whether affairs go smoothly. If one petitions with sincerity, one can reach the deities, and nothing hidden escapes their illumination.

Today we hold the Lamp-Praising ritual. Your disciple, so-and-so, reverently follows the sacred teachings and from afar invites the deities to descend and observe. We light a lamp shaped like a purple phoenix, its glow shining upon the Jade Dipper; we kindle flames like red lotuses, their brilliance illuminating the Golden Balance. We respectfully pray that the Taiji (Supreme Ultimate) will bestow auspicious blessings, and that the deities of the Southern Palace will extend life, so that one's years may be long and one's blessings without end. Your disciple bows his head in refuge and reverently sings praises: Celestial Worthy of Long Life and Preservation of Destiny.

We, your servants, sincerely take refuge in the Star Lord of this person's natal star and in all the Lingguan (spirit officials, the divine functionaries who serve the deities in Daoism).

The clear sight of the deities is not distant; sincere prayer can reach them in secret. Though the celestial court is high and far, it can still be petitioned with offerings of pure incense. We look up and beseech the supreme deities of the heavens to bestow pure and abundant blessings. Today we light the natal lamp, and your disciple, so-and-so, gathers in the mind and spirit (Shen), turns the gaze inward to illuminate within, and devotes himself to experiencing the pure and tranquil true Dao (the Way). We fear that the record of offenses left over from many lifetimes has not yet been erased, so that fortune in this life is rough and troubled. Now we hope for deliverance, and, since this rite has come at the right moment, we light the natal star lamp to cleanse the faults within the Body Palace (the palace associated with one's personal destiny). We respectfully pray that the offenses be struck from the register of the Dipper's Director of Destiny, and that your disciple's name be entered in the immortal rolls of the South Pole. May unbroken calamities turn into auspicious blessings, and may hardship and difficulty be changed into brightness and smooth passage. Your disciple bows his head in refuge and reverently sings praises: Celestial Worthy of Long Life and Preservation of Destiny.

The Jade Perfected Lord on High and the Venerable Deity of Ziwei wear embroidered robes and feathered mantles (Daoist robes adorned with feathers), and long crimson skirts in vermilion and azure hues. The twin pearls shine, and the splendid lamplight fills the whole array; the radiance of the deities shines everywhere, bringing a hundredfold blessings. The prayers carried by the awe-inspiring deities of the eight directions, however deep and hidden, are heard by the deities. With sincere hearts we take refuge, hoping to attain long life.

With utmost sincerity, we take refuge in the Star Lord of one's Natal Destiny (the star deity who governs the year of one's birth and protects one's life). The Star Lord's divine light shines everywhere, bringing renewed blessings in abundance; the prayers carried by the numinous powers of the eight directions are heard in every dark place, with none beyond their reach. With sincere hearts we entrust our lives to the Star Lord, praying to attain long life.

With utmost sincerity, we take refuge in the Star Lord of one's Natal Destiny and in all the Spirit Officials (divine officers and generals of the Daoist pantheon).

Within the Great Void, the wondrous Dao of the One has always been able to act through endless transformation; the Keyi (liturgy) and scriptures of the immortals likewise record that whoever cultivates with utmost devotion will receive a response. The True Court is the realm where the sages and perfected beings dwell, and the place where the Jade Emperor holds court at dawn. We respectfully invite your divine chariots to descend; the jeweled immortal halls have been swept clean to welcome the Supreme Minister of the Original Destiny (the revered deity who governs one's natal destiny) and the true deity who governs the Qi of extended years and lengthened life.

Now the Lamp-Lighting Ritual is being held. This disciple, [name], vows to cultivate virtue, examine themselves, and repent with single-minded devotion, and reverently sets up a Zhaijiao (purification ritual; a Daoist rite of offering and prayer), cleansing and preparing precious offerings. We pray that the three spirits of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity may be in harmony and communion, and that the myriad forms of primordial Qi may gather to form the immortal. May the whole household enjoy lasting peace and smooth fortune, and may benevolent deities protect them throughout their lives. May the hun and po souls be clear and upright, may no malign Qi intrude, may wealth and rank be abundant, and may blessings extend long into the future. We bow our heads in refuge and reverently praise: the Heavenly Venerable of Great Compassion Who Extends Life.

The Jade Capital stands lofty and majestic, its vermilion gates thrown open. Within the palace, an Imperial Sovereign commands the guard at the celestial steps. Clad in a purple embroidered feathered robe and a golden headcloth, he oversees the determination of people's registers of destiny (the records of lifespan and fate), and can seal mountains and summon clouds. When someone makes a petition, an awe-inspiring divine general answers. With sincere hearts we entrust our lives to him, praying to attain long life.

With utmost sincerity, we take refuge in the Star Lord of one's Natal Destiny of Birth-Establishment (the star deity who governs one's month and year of birth and natal year-cycle) and in all the Spirit Officials.

The Taiji (Supreme Ultimate) star chart displays the laws first established in the Jade Capital; the Precious Register of Eastern Florescence (the immortal rosters and canonical records of the Eastern Florescence realm) proclaims the grand principles of the Golden Gate. Round canopies of jade-green cover the awe-inspiring divine generals. With sincere hearts we entrust our lives to them, praying to attain long life.

With utmost sincerity, we take refuge in the Star Lord of one's Natal Destiny of Birth-Establishment and in all the Spirit Officials.

Respectfully submitted: the Taiji (Supreme Ultimate) turns like the celestial chart of the armillary sphere, jade-tubed and pivoted, and from it unfolds the fundamental law of the Jade Capital (the celestial palace of Daoist heaven); the precious registers of Donghua proclaim the grand strategy of the Golden Gate Tower. The round canopy of stars above is like a kingfisher-green parasol, covering the ten mountains at the head of heaven; the graceful Jasper Terrace rises high, as if one could gaze from the void into the blue sky nine fathoms deep. Then flowing radiance begins to appear, and the power that transforms and nurtures the myriad things stirs from the star Yaoguang; the subtle primordial Qi (the fundamental energy between heaven and earth) circulates, and the seasons turn in cycles with the lunar lodges Ji and Dou.

Whether a person is of high or low station is bound up with merit from former lives, yet the span of life is surely recorded under the Jiansheng star (the star governing one's natal destiny). Now this disciple, so-and-so, reverently relies on the supreme and mysterious divine office, turns toward the constant true Dao (the Way), arranges the lamp positions according to the stars of heaven, and lights the red lamp candles, using their brightness to commune with the spirits. I humbly beg that the Dao and my nature be in accord, that my heart and mind respond to the divine, that the sacred and the perfected gather to protect me, and that auspicious signs be bestowed to bring blessings and extend life. This disciple bows in reverence and takes refuge, sincerely praising: the Celestial Worthy Who Dispels Calamity and Wards Off Misfortune (the venerable deity to whom one prays for the removal of disaster and defense against harm).

The True Sovereign Taiyi, also known as the Purple Lord of the Middle Primordial, bears the personal name Guiying and the courtesy name Niwan. He sits upon a golden couch within a jade curtain, wearing a purple embroidered brocade skirt, with a fire bell at his waist. He is able to behead demons and evil and to destroy the treacherous and wicked. In his hands he holds the essence of the stars, and behind his neck is a white halo. This disciple devotes their whole heart in taking refuge, praying to obtain long life.

The assembled ministers, the Celestial Worthy Who Wards Off Misfortune.

The True Sovereign Taiyi, also known as the Purple Lord of the Middle Primordial, bears the personal name Guiying and the courtesy name Niwan. He sits upon a golden couch within a jade curtain, wearing a purple embroidered brocade skirt, with a fire bell at his waist. He is able to behead demons and evil and to destroy the treacherous and wicked. In his hands he holds the essence of the stars, and behind his neck is a white halo. This disciple devotes their whole heart in taking refuge, praying to obtain long life.

We, the assembled ministers, sincerely take refuge in the natal star lord of so-and-so's Jiansheng destiny, and in the various spirit officials (divine functionaries in Daoism responsible for guarding, relaying commands, and similar duties).

Respectfully submitted: the stars among the clouds interweave like fine jade, shining in the clear sky; the bright moon's shadow and the golden round halo are spread across the four quarters of the purple River of Heaven. Since the first separation of heaven and earth, the radiance of the stars has risen into the lofty heavens; the divine offices that govern the Five Phases (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water) have likewise arrayed the multitude of stars across the sky. Because the stars move now with the course, now against it, there arise worries over fortune and misfortune, good and ill: when a star departs from its proper position, or passes through a person's life palace (the stellar position associated with an individual's fate), faults and calamities may descend upon that person.

Now this disciple, so-and-so, lights the lamp candles, and, concerned about the influence of the stars' illumination, offers incense in prayer to the divine offices in charge of the stars. I humbly beg that the fortunate stars shine high, so that this person may keep their long life intact; and that the calamitous stars withdraw and give way, so that they may long enjoy the blessings of radiance and distinction. This disciple bows in reverence and takes refuge, sincerely praising: the Celestial Worthy of Long Life Who Preserves Destiny.

Great Radiant Numinous Spirit (the vast and luminous deity), you have passed through the nine layers of azure numinous qi. The rosy dawn clouds radiate their glow, pouring into and refining a person's five forms (the five bodily elements that make up the human body). Your spirit chariot patrols the six directions (heaven, earth, and the four cardinal directions), bringing the seven spirits (the deities bound to human life) each into harmony. May I be allowed to ascend as an immortal and enter Shangqing (the Highest Clarity, a lofty heaven in Daoist cosmology). When my merit is accomplished and I am united with the Great Dao (the Way), may the Three Plain Ones (the clear and numinous immortals of Daoism) come to receive me. With a single heart, I take refuge.

Great Radiant Numinous Spirit, you have passed through the nine layers of azure numinous qi. The rosy dawn clouds radiate their glow, pouring into and refining a person's five forms. Your spirit chariot patrols the six directions, bringing the seven spirits each into harmony. May I be allowed to ascend as an immortal and enter Shangqing. When my merit is accomplished and I am united with the Great Dao, may the Three Plain Ones come to receive me. With a single heart, I take refuge and pray for long life.

We, your servants, reverently and single-mindedly take refuge in the Star Lord of the natal star of birth (the star deity who presides over a person's birth year and natal destiny) and in the palaces of all his spirits (the halls where the many spirits dwell).

We respectfully declare: when the Hunyuan (Primordial Chaos, the original state of the cosmos before differentiation) first began to create, it opened the foundation of the Azure Cycle; as creation and transformation unfolded, the era name of Chiming (Red Radiance) was then established. Its vast transformations set the movement of qi in motion, govern all order between heaven and earth, assist the lives of all beings, and oversee both misfortune and blessing. Now a lamp has been set out as an offering. Your disciple, so-and-so, bearing the Kuigang (the principal stars of the Northern Dipper) over their head, accords with their natal star. With a single heart, I turn toward the true teaching and take refuge with utmost sincerity. I make offerings of the fragrance of orchid essence and kindle the purple flame in the silver lamp. May the Five Blessings flourish and the Nine Pure Realms (the pure and tranquil heavens of Daoist cosmology) protect me, so that I may long dwell in a season of health and smooth fortune, and always abide in a state of calm and peace. I bow my head in refuge and offer sincere praise: Fusheng Wuliang Tianzun (Celestial Venerable of Boundless Life and Blessing).

Nine Qi Azure Heaven (the heaven formed from nine kinds of azure primordial qi), original yang essence of the Primal Beginning. The Venerable Spirit, Huanglao, clad in azure feathered robes, sets his throne in the celestial palace and makes the Year Star (Jupiter) shine brightly. He scatters radiance and fragrance, cleansing and nourishing the human body. The Five Qi blend together, and heaven and earth endure together. With a single heart, I take refuge and pray for long life: Fusheng Wuliang Tianzun.

Nine Qi Azure Heaven, original yang essence of the Primal Beginning. The Venerable Spirit, Huanglao, clad in azure feathered robes, sets his throne in the celestial palace and makes the Year Star shine brightly. He scatters radiance and fragrance, cleansing and nourishing the human body. The Five Qi blend together, and heaven and earth endure together. With a single heart, I take refuge and pray for long life.

After chanting the scriptures and reading out the memorial (the written petition presented to the deities), the merit is dedicated onward.